EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES TO ATTEND A GAWLER DIABETES RETREAT

Type 2 diabetes is very common in our community. It can result in serious disability, including blindness, stroke, heart attack, limb amputation and kidney failure. Research shows that it responds very well to the sort of therapies advocated by the Gawler Foundation (TGF). In 2012, TGF will be running a research study to see whether attendance at a retreat and lifestyle change can make a difference to diabetes. It is quite possible that some people attending the retreat may find that their diabetes is cured if they can maintain the lifestyle changes. The study, approved by Monash University and St Vincent's Hospital, will involve people who apply being randomly allocated to either attend the week-long retreat from March 26-30, 2012, or to standard care through their local doctor. Being accepted into the study is no guarantee that you would attend the retreat; there is about a 50% chance of being in the group that comes to the retreat. The retreat will be facilitated by a team led by Prof George Jelinek and Dr Craig Hassed, in addition to TGF therapists and general practitioners. Prof Jelinek currently leads the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis retreats, and Dr Hassed leads some meditation retreats and contributes to others at TGF. Please bring this to the attention of relatives or friends with type 2 diabetes; the retreat will be at no cost to participants. For further information, please contact the Programs Office at TGF on (03) 5967 1730 or the research officers Dr Greg Rumbold at TGF or Emily Hadgkiss on (03) 9288 2737